Jonesborough, Jefferson City, and Greeneville, TN
A dental emergency can happen at any time, or any place. That includes when you are out of town. A broken crown can ruin your day and, if you are traveling, your vacation. That’s why your emergency dentist in Greeneville composed this guide of what to do if your crown breaks while you are away from home.
Get the facts on crowns
Before we proceed, let’s take a look at crowns and how they work. A dental crown replaces the entire exterior of a tooth, preventing tooth loss, even if a tooth has sustained serious damage or decay. You also may receive a crown as the final step in certain dental procedures, such as a dental implant and a root canal.
Know the signs of a damaged crown
If your crown becomes cracked, damaged, or comes off your tooth, you’re probably going to do it. When you suffer a cracked crown, you’re likely to feel immediate pain, similar to what you experience from a toothache. Other effects of crown damage include increased sensitivity to hot and cold, and swelling at the spot.
What to do if your crown breaks
In the event of crown damage, your best course of action is to seek the care of an emergency dentist as soon as possible. If you are seen soon enough, your dentist may be able to repair the damaged crown, which is a less intensive and less costly option than total replacement of a crown. If an emergency dentist is not available, or you are out of town, here are some actions you should take.
Step 1) Visually assess the damaged crown. Do you see any broken pieces of the crown in your mouth? Do you identify any loose or hanging pieces? Don’t try to re-attach them–as this could do further damage to the crown, or the tooth beneath it. If you don’t notice any sharp edges on the tooth, or feel them when you rub your tongue over the tooth where the crown resided, you may not need an emergency dentist. Place any broken section in a plastic bag or other type of small, sealed container and bring it to your appointment.
Step 2) Manage your pain. Start taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, even if you’re not feeling any immediate discomfort. Otherwise, you run the risk of your pain getting ahead of you, and becoming unbearable. We also recommend that you avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you can receive treatment.
Step 3) Watch for warning signs. Are you experiencing major, agonizing pain? How about extreme sensitivity at the affected tooth? What about significant bleeding? These are all signs that your dental situation can’t wait. You need to find an emergency dentist near you, as soon as possible, even if you are out of town.
Treating damaged crowns in Greeneville and Jonesborough in Tennessee
Maybe you’re traveling in the area and experience a broken crown. We offer emergency dental services for patients just like you, whether they’re residents of our area or just visiting. To find out more about these or any of our services, make your appointment today online or call our office at (423) 639-7575.